Airline trade group Airlines for America has started legal action to exempt airlines from Washington state’s new paid sick leave law.
A federal lawsuit argues it is ludicrous to include commercial airlines in the law which operate across state lines, which will only cause ‘mass confusion.’
The group is asking for an exemption and that airlines already offer generous sick leave for flight crews already negotiated in union contracts.
Washington’s Paid Sick Leave Act took effect on January 1.
"Airlines cannot operate their nationwide systems properly if flight crews are subject to the employment laws of every state in which they are based, live, or pass through," A4A said.
It says there are many states with their own different sick leave laws as well as 30 cities.
"Compliance with every state or local paid sick leave law imposed by jurisdictions in which A4A member airlines operate is nearly impossible, and even if it were possible, it would be extremely burdensome," the lawsuit claims.
Airlines also take issue with Washington’s law in which a doctor’s note is not required from sick employees until they miss at least three consecutive work days.
The suit contends that due to the on-off work pattern of flight crew, it is very unlikely a crew member would actually miss three consecutive shifts, which opens up more opportunity for absenteeism without disciplinary measures being taken.
This ‘impairs the airline’s ability to investigate fraud and abuse of sick leave protections," it added.
